Maralen of the Mornsong Discussion

1 week ago

If anyone I played with implemented that search only the top ten rule I would play Maralen of the Mornsong good stuff. She just becomes so much more powerful under that kind of restriction. That rule warps the format too much and changes the power of so many cards like scry effects. I get some people take too long to search or that infinite turns yadda yadda yadda are ridiculous. But instead of warping the format to where you are not even playing commander anymore try answering them. Combos take time and effort to set up so understand the opponents combo and run a deck that moves faster. As for searches taking too long implement something more like losing life or taking commander damage after 40 seconds if it is an issue every time with that player. That doesn't alter the game too much while still putting pressure on them to speed up. You also need to understand that with 100 cards searches just take time the game is going to be slow. This isn't the format of 30 min games it is the format of 2 hour games. Big clunky creatures and things that simply dont work unless you can spend 40 mana belong here.

Tutors actually open up what is playable too. I have built quite a few decks that won't work without tutors because they were so durdly and dumb and needed 6-10 cards to come together in a specific way to have a chance of winning.

Commander would be a better format if everyone just played what they wanted instead of banning things and making up oppressive rules.

2 weeks ago

Thank you gentleman, for not only your input, but also your praise. I have been away from the site for some time. I have had finals this week, for Summer school. I agree very much with you both on the way the deck should be routed and tuned. I will take note and do that accordingly. I felt that the added the extra "umpf", for the combo to be drawn into. Gas alsways seems to be the issue with combo. You always hear Q: "What happened?" A: "I didn't get it." I can see a straight shell. I really like the idea of 4x Lingering Souls, by the way. Allow me to rearrange the deck.

Hello there. First and foremost, allow me to thank you for taking the time to provide me your constructive criticism and opinions. I would also love to enlighten you on how the deck synergy works, as well as how it is viable (just like other creature combos in MTG), as other 2-piece creature combos with Melira, Sylvok Outcast & Kitchen Finks or Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker & Pestermite work, there are more, but these suffice, for explaining that removal doesn't always play according to plan--just as combo does not. Everyone always seems to have the perfect scenario, but yet here we all are, on Tappedout to attempt to gain insight on the game entirely.

First to understand the combo properly, you would need to read the cards carefully. Now, perhaps there was some confusion, however, do not forget how much mana it takes to pay, for searching AND playing spells. There are also 11x + discard & counter spells in the deck to strip the hand, like other decks. I am going to assume that you have played against 8-Rack. Now, if you will, imagine that same scenario, however, now you cannot search for cards unless you are paying an additional mana just to play your turn. Also consider the factor that you cannot draw and your hand is getting stripped, your creatures Path to Exile'd & Fatal Push'ed--all while your opponent puts more cards into their hand.

I will concede to you that the deck is not perfect and sometimes things to not work out, like Tron not getting Tron online in some games or not drawing a second mana to keep Tempo with the opponent, but it is also probability on top of piloting and skill that makes something work. It does get weaker the larger the mana base gets. On that notion it is a small inclusion, but with the inclusion of Ghost Quarter, Aven Mindcensor, and perhaps another
Shadow of Doubt
the deck will be even more viable.

I have seen many people lose with a full hand to only a Tarmogoyf on board, so the argument that this cannot lock out an opponent while stripping their hand, countering spells, and destroying their mana base, all while denying or "taxing" the mana base--which is already stressed, having to pay , have mana open, for the turn's spell, and hope the spell resolves or is not removed or discarded, prior to being cast. Creature combat wins games, too.

Overall I would have to remind you that this is an idea I put together. More so, one on a website, for people like you to pick it apart like you're doing for me now, so I may improve it. I would imagine that this explanation clears up your confusion. However, not everyone operates with the same processing.

3 weeks ago

I don't see how the combo is any good? The dream scenario is to get Leonin Arbiter and Maralen of the Mornsong on the battlefield at the same time right? Say on turn 3. Then, in that scenario, each player can pay 2 at the beginning of their upkeep to search their library for a card after paying 3 life. So how does that put you ahead?

An explanation would be awesome! I can't really figure it out. I mean, them tutoring up Lightning Bolt or one of the other one mana removal spells isn't that bad for you, as they do lose 3 life. But it's not exactly a game winning play for getting your 2 card combo together, nor a softlock (just pay 2 mana every turn). I like Aven Mindcensor more as it only affects opponents (though 3 mana is a lot). Maybe if you had a game winning 2 card combo of your own? Apologies for any harshness! Just haven't figured it out yet.

3 weeks ago

Yes!! There are many ways to cut costs in Kaalia of the Vast, you can easily cut $600 to $650 in lands alone. To keep the consistency you may need to trade fetching/dual lands in for some enters tapped scry lands, but even if you lose 1-3 turns of speed, it is still viable. Ash Barrens.

3) On his own, he's not really that viable. As a combo, he's great, without the combo pieces in place, he's not that great. That's what finally led to the demise of Maralen of the Mornsong in the deck too, hate cards that are a dead draw on their own without the necessary combo pieces in place yet.

He's a viable win con, and if you have the Unburial build in for him, you can gear your deck around the Animate Dead/Necromancy type build, and be very effective. Chose not to go that direction with my take on Kaalia of the Vast

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